Gusinsky questioned about Hapoalim money laundering

The police may also summon Israel's ambassador to the UK Zvi Hefetz, who represented Gusinsky on the Maariv Holdings board.

Businessman Vladimir Gusinsky, a controlling shareholder in Ma'ariv Holdings (TASE: MARV), is currently being questioned under caution at the offices of the Israel Police National Serious and International Crimes Unit in Petah Tikva. He is suspected of involvement in the Bank Hapoalim (LSE: BKHD; TASE: POLI) money laundering affair.

Police investigators last month raided the offices of the Most group, through which Gusinsky manages his business in Israel. They took thousands of documents.

The police are also considering summoning Israeli Ambassador to the UK Adv. Zvi Hefetz, who represented Gusinsky on the Maariv Holdings board of directors during the relevant period.

The police say that they have evidence allegedly indicating that Gusinsky took an active part in laundering tens of millions of dollars. Gusinsky is the first important customer at the Bank Hapoalim Hayarkon branch to be questioned in the money laundering affair.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 30, 2005